This is a pretty good article about the World Cup and FIFA, the guy points out some great points and I think one of the biggest reasons for soccer never really taking off in the US.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13631819/site/newsweek/
I was at a restaurant with the wife and we both were talking with a couple of other people there while watching the game. She kept commenting about how these guys are constantly falling down and rolling around like they've been mortally wounded. I explained to her, that was the soccer mentality, it's how you get a foul called. She hated it and I told her I felt the same way, it causes me to ignore what I think is an otherwise excellent sport. The others we were talking with agreed and I said "this is why it'll never be big in the US, you have these guys writhing around in 'pain' over a bump while you have someone like Donavan McNab out on the field quarterbacking with a broken leg." lol That type of nonsense doesn't bring the player or sport much respect, since it's so prevalent. I love the game of soccer, it's a beautiful thing to watch when it's actually played rather than played in between WWE style Oscar performances. lol
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Moezilla
Member Since: June 01, 2004
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Posted: Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 10:50 PM UTC
Henk
Member Since: August 07, 2004
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Posted: Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:00 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Good luck Argentina!
I believe the Germans have just shown Argentina the way to the airport?
Hmmm, another German V England Final on the way?
That reminds me of the BA flight arriving at Frankfurt Airport some years ago. Upon landing the pilot asked for directions to his docking spoty, to which the controller asked " WHY, have you not been to Frankfurt before?"
To which the pilot replied "Yes, twice, in 1944, but I didn't stop"
jimbrae
Member Since: April 23, 2003
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Posted: Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:47 PM UTC
Quoted Text
This is a pretty good article about the World Cup and FIFA, the guy points out some great points and I think one of the biggest reasons for soccer never really taking off in the US.
It kinda reminds me of the self-styled (European) 'intellectuals' sneering at the NFL or the NBA.
He does make some good points though, although there is a real myth over the more 'theatrical' fouls. There simply aren't as many as people think. As for (FIFA) refereeing it suffers from PCititis - giving refs from countries with pitiful leagues the same status as experienced European or South AMerican referees. The exception is the numerically challenged Graham Poll. His next move should be refereeing in the Icelandic league....
Football isn't popular in the States as the MSL is so pitiful and full of has-beens...
jimbrae
Member Since: April 23, 2003
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Posted: Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:57 PM UTC
Oh, the CRAPPIEST news from the World Cup has to be the renovation of the contract of the Spanish Manager for two more years.
Two years more of favoritism, racist comments and general imbecility. Considering we have the strongest League in the world, you'd think they could have done a little better...
Scolari for example?
Comparing the MSL with (serious) football is like comparing European basketball with the NBA. What angers me, is that when America does something, it usually does it well. Exception being professional football in the States...
Although I DID like the USA team in the WC....
Two years more of favoritism, racist comments and general imbecility. Considering we have the strongest League in the world, you'd think they could have done a little better...
Scolari for example?
Comparing the MSL with (serious) football is like comparing European basketball with the NBA. What angers me, is that when America does something, it usually does it well. Exception being professional football in the States...
Although I DID like the USA team in the WC....
Moezilla
Member Since: June 01, 2004
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 01:01 AM UTC
When you say professional football in the States you mean soccer right? 
I myself have always enjoyed soccer, think it is a beautiful game with the only problem being the trouble fans. Not all fans, just the ones who go starting trouble, shooting people etc. NO sport needs that type of idiot, period.
I myself have always enjoyed soccer, think it is a beautiful game with the only problem being the trouble fans. Not all fans, just the ones who go starting trouble, shooting people etc. NO sport needs that type of idiot, period.
spooky6
Member Since: May 05, 2005
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 01:09 AM UTC
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Hmmm, another German V England Final on the way?
I wish. But I think we'll see a remake of last time -- Germany vs Brazil.
Just got back from the beergarten --
TedMamere
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 01:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextHmmm, another German V England Final on the way?
I wish. But I think we'll see a remake of last time -- Germany vs Brazil.
Don't forget the French!
ShermiesRule
Member Since: December 11, 2003
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 01:52 AM UTC
I was just reading an article on all those yellow cards that you guys were posting about days ago. I had no idea that there was only one referee to cover that whole field.
Moezilla
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 02:59 AM UTC
Yea, I think it's pretty silly to have only one official for the whole field. Should be two, one for each half of the field. I also think they should start handing out yellow cards for the theatrical diving and carrying on, if they did it would help keep the game on track. Get up and run after the referee to complain and you get a warning of no complaining and then you get tossed. Will bring more discipline to the game and I think you'd see more guys staying on their feet not on their backs carrying on. Replays I completely agree with as well as allowing coaches a challenge.
Other things they should do is have a clock everyone can see with an official injury time on it up on the board. Leaving one man to have the official time leaves a lot of room for people to cry foul.
Other things they should do is have a clock everyone can see with an official injury time on it up on the board. Leaving one man to have the official time leaves a lot of room for people to cry foul.
Henk
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 04:15 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Just got back from the beergarten --
I like your T-shirt
:-)
jimbrae
Member Since: April 23, 2003
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 04:42 AM UTC
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Yea, I think it's pretty silly to have only one official for the whole field. Should be two, one for each half of the field. I also think they should start handing out yellow cards for the theatrical diving and carrying on, if they did it would help keep the game on track. Get up and run after the referee to complain and you get a warning of no complaining and then you get tossed. Will bring more discipline to the game and I think you'd see more guys staying on their feet not on their backs carrying on. Replays I completely agree with as well as allowing coaches a challenge.
Are we on some kind of different Time/Space reality here?
In football, there are FOUR match officials, the two linesman are actually referees. The fourth is a reserve and to keep things controlled at the team dug-outs..
Replays - get serious. Fouls? Same comment... No, I don't think NFL padding for 'keepers will be acceptable either...
The game ISN'T (as some seem convinced) in crisis, there's a need for improvements, yes. No complaining? Get outta here! :-)
Zacman
Member Since: January 27, 2006
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 09:46 AM UTC
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Quoted TextRugby much harder game? They have harder heads that's about all!
Apparently other anatomical parts are harder too
The hooker has to hold on to some thing to steer the scrum!
Zacman
Member Since: January 27, 2006
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 09:49 AM UTC
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Hi,
As an American I am enjoying the World Cup. I do not care who wins, I just enjoy the matches. Gives me something to do until the EPL starts up in August.
Just to let you know, I do not watch Steroid Ball(MLB), Thug League(NBA) or Fake Football League- hehehehe!
Chris- Go Gunners!
Did you know that the gunners is Osma bin Lardins fav english team!
Zacman
Member Since: January 27, 2006
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 10:06 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Yea, I think it's pretty silly to have only one official for the whole field. Should be two, one for each half of the field. I also think they should start handing out yellow cards for the theatrical diving and carrying on, if they did it would help keep the game on track. Get up and run after the referee to complain and you get a warning of no complaining and then you get tossed. Will bring more discipline to the game and I think you'd see more guys staying on their feet not on their backs carrying on. Replays I completely agree with as well as allowing coaches a challenge.
Other things they should do is have a clock everyone can see with an official injury time on it up on the board. Leaving one man to have the official time leaves a lot of room for people to cry foul.
They do hand out cards for diving and for desent! People complain of discipline, football is one of the most disciplined games there is!
Zacman
Member Since: January 27, 2006
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 10:08 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextHmmm, another German V England Final on the way?
I wish. But I think we'll see a remake of last time -- Germany vs Brazil.
Just got back from the beergarten --
Some one should help her with that wet shirt before she catches "a death of cold"
Zacman
Member Since: January 27, 2006
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 10:10 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextYea, I think it's pretty silly to have only one official for the whole field. Should be two, one for each half of the field. I also think they should start handing out yellow cards for the theatrical diving and carrying on, if they did it would help keep the game on track. Get up and run after the referee to complain and you get a warning of no complaining and then you get tossed. Will bring more discipline to the game and I think you'd see more guys staying on their feet not on their backs carrying on. Replays I completely agree with as well as allowing coaches a challenge.
Are we on some kind of different Time/Space reality here?
In football, there are FOUR match officials, the two linesman are actually referees. The fourth is a reserve and to keep things controlled at the team dug-outs..
Replays - get serious. Fouls? Same comment... No, I don't think NFL padding for 'keepers will be acceptable either...
The game ISN'T (as some seem convinced) in crisis, there's a need for improvements, yes. No complaining? Get outta here! :-)
Well said, i couldn't have said it better!
Removed by original poster on 07/01/06 - 16:08:26 (GMT).
HONEYCUT
Member Since: May 07, 2003
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 02:16 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Are we on some kind of different Time/Space reality here?
In football, there are FOUR match officials, the two linesman are actually referees. The fourth is a reserve and to keep things controlled at the team dug-outs..
Replays - get serious. Fouls? Same comment... No, I don't think NFL padding for 'keepers will be acceptable either...
The game ISN'T (as some seem convinced) in crisis, there's a need for improvements, yes. No complaining? Get outta here! :-)
Jim, as there are 4 match officials, what sway do the other 3 have on the ref, when he is having a bad one?... 4 officials, 1 mouthpiece... Sure he can (and does) at times confer with the other officials, but that is generally for a specific decision or something behind play that the ref hasn't seen... Surely with 4 officials doing their job properly, NOTHING would pass unseen... There is no conferring and overuling by the linesmen, is there?
And the 'dug-out' control is generally needed because of said ref's bad decision making...
And (as some seem convinced) La Liga cannot be deemed the world's top league with a national team so prone to stumbling... Can they?
jimbrae
Member Since: April 23, 2003
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Posted: Friday, June 30, 2006 - 06:04 PM UTC
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La Liga cannot be deemed the world's top league with a national team so prone to stumbling... Can they?
That's a VERY good question
Simple answer - the amount of foreign players in the League. Since here in Europe, European Community players don't count as foreigners.Club football here is almost certainly the strongest in the world - even a 'mid-level' team can cause a lot of grief to one of the big clubs. not something that tends to happen in other leagues.
Also, the Spanish Federation (responsible for the National side) are so out-dated and pitiful, until that lot are put to the sword, the national side will NEVER amount to a 'Hill 'o beans'.... :-)
spooky6
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Posted: Saturday, July 01, 2006 - 01:34 PM UTC
Good golly, England bites the Portugese bullet again! Though I thought the Rooney dismissal was a tad unfair. Wonder how the shootout would have gone if he & Becks were stepping up.
And who'd have thought Brazil was going home after the quarters. Oh, well, Germany vs France in the final then?
And who'd have thought Brazil was going home after the quarters. Oh, well, Germany vs France in the final then?
jimbrae
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Posted: Saturday, July 01, 2006 - 02:15 PM UTC
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There is no conferring and overuling by the linesmen, is there?
There is WHEN they speak the same language - one of the problems in the WC has been lack of communicative ability between the match officials. UEFA's policy is ALWAYS to use Referees/Linesmen from the sma country in teams of four... Opposite to the FIFA (PC/ Multi-Culti) policy...
TedMamere
Member Since: May 15, 2005
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Posted: Saturday, July 01, 2006 - 05:29 PM UTC
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And who'd have thought Brazil was going home after the quarters.
The French people!
Quoted Text
Oh, well, Germany vs France in the final then?
Oh nooo! As you only made bad prognostics so far could you edit your post and write Italy vs Portugal instead? :-)
Jean-Luc
MarkusE
Member Since: July 06, 2005
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Posted: Saturday, July 01, 2006 - 11:15 PM UTC
I´m looking forward to the semi finals !!!
I hope they will play good and fair.
Cheers,
Markus
I hope they will play good and fair.
Cheers,
Markus
Clanky44
Member Since: September 15, 2005
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Posted: Sunday, July 02, 2006 - 12:59 AM UTC
The wife and I got back from our vacation on friday night (gone for 6 days)...... and I just finished watching all of the games I missed over the last week on pre-tape..... 36 hours of football with only a 5 hour break for some shut-eye and three hours for Formula 1 races........ some observations......fantastic football...... some questionable officiating..... and a lot of very fit Portuguese footballers dropping like flies at the mere hint of contact!
Go France Go!!!!!!
Frank
Go France Go!!!!!!
Frank
Kinggeorges
Member Since: August 31, 2005
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Posted: Sunday, July 02, 2006 - 02:44 AM UTC
Hello guys,
I've missed the 500 posts before this, but the only thing I can say, it's France is so impressive.
Imagine during the last world cup in South Korea, they even did not qualified themself, after wining the World cup AND the europa cup !
Then we started this world cup without scoring against switzerland (I have nothing against swiss people) and a poor 1/1 against south corea (same remark as for the swiss). But we played Togo, Spain and Brazil and those three matches were excellent, specially the last goal against Brazil by Henry who really fly in front of the cage.
It's funny because the french team seems to need to be critized to score. During the world cup, there was a huge buzz against Aimé Jacquet, and finally we won. This time critics are the age of the player as we have the oldest team of the cup. But experience pay !!
For sure we will have a final Germany versus France. May the best win !
Go France Go go go !!!
Best regards,
Julien
I've missed the 500 posts before this, but the only thing I can say, it's France is so impressive.
Imagine during the last world cup in South Korea, they even did not qualified themself, after wining the World cup AND the europa cup !
Then we started this world cup without scoring against switzerland (I have nothing against swiss people) and a poor 1/1 against south corea (same remark as for the swiss). But we played Togo, Spain and Brazil and those three matches were excellent, specially the last goal against Brazil by Henry who really fly in front of the cage.
It's funny because the french team seems to need to be critized to score. During the world cup, there was a huge buzz against Aimé Jacquet, and finally we won. This time critics are the age of the player as we have the oldest team of the cup. But experience pay !!
For sure we will have a final Germany versus France. May the best win !
Go France Go go go !!!
Best regards,
Julien
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